Web Services Fly High: Air travel is one industry being dramatically changed by Web services. When you fly somewhere, you can make or change a reservation or check in for a flight simply by identifying yourself to the services system via one of several interfaces [right]. You can swipe a bank card or credit card at a kiosk or key identification information into a PC, PDA, or cellphone. Behind the scenes [left], a query goes to a credit card clearinghouse, which sends your identifying information to the Web services application. If that clearinghouse is inaccessible, the query goes to alternative clearinghouses until it gets a response. Making or changing a reservation draws information from a number of databases, including airline reservation systems and, if you have one, a frequent flyer account. The system can also check a database of arrivals and departures and tell you whether your flight is on time.